A County Map of the US Made of 3,047 Wood Blocks

(Photo: Ben Graves)

Ben Graves, 80, stands in front of his enormous map of 3,047 counties and county-equivalents in the 48 contiguous states of the United States. It measures 8 by 5 feet across.

He's not an artist by trade, but he is a master of his craft. Graves is a retired oil refinery fire chief in Kerrville, Texas. His tranquility is to make wood county maps of states, which he often donates to local schools. My San Antonio reports:

“It's a hobby that I dearly love,” said Graves, whose father was a carpenter. “It's very relaxing. I have no music. No nothin'. Just me and my saw. Very relaxing.” […]

Graves pulled out all the stops for his latest project, a county-by-county map of the nation's 48 contiguous states made from more than a dozen types of wood, which he donated Monday to Kerr County.

-via Twisted Sifter